Product Description
Written by a well-known Australian sports historian, this work shows the history of how soccer has become the world's most popular sport.Amazon.com Review
Soccer, one of the most popular games in the world, is playedby many and is supported fanatically by millions. So, how did thissport come about? What were its origins? Why has it flourished for solong? Bill Murray, an Australian sports historian, answers thesequestions and many more as he persuasively presents the case for whysoccer is the premier sport of the world.Tracing the history of theorganized game--from its origins as a leisure pastime forprivate-school alumni in London in 1863 to the World Cup held in theU.S. in 1994--Murray commentates on the evolution of soccer from pastto present. Attention is paid to all aspects of the game, ranging fromAmerica's ambivalent attitude toward professional soccer to theprogress of the women's game to the threat of hooliganism. The groundcovered is vast, but Murray's readable style will be appreciated byanyone who has a passion for the game, and will inspire interest inthose who know little about it.--Jeremy Storey ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The World's Game: A HISTORY OF SOCCER (Illinois History of Sports)
Very pleased with how fast I recieved the book.It was in wonderful shape

A great overview of soccer history.
Unlike other soccer books which can be narrow in scope and range, Murray's book attempts to take us beyond the borders of South America and Europe and examines soccer all over the world. It also examines political and social affiliations attached to the game. The appendix has major soccer disasters covered,tragedies involving players,major soccer grounds,FIFA membership,Soccer at the Olympic Games before 1930,The Growth of the World Cup,and The Growth of Various Youth Tournaments. It also has a useful Glossary which is a must for any observer, casual or hardcore fan of the game. It would be a good introductory book for someone learning about soccer history because it has plenty of useful anecdotes that illustrates the game's colorful and controversial history.

This book was great!
After having played soccer for years, it wasamazing to see how much I didn't now about the history of the sport. Now that my daughter is absorbing everything soccer, this book has helped. She is preparing to do areport on soccer and it's history. I am sure she'll do great! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Superb Book about RX-7's.
"Sports Car Color History" Mazda RX-7 is just that.A picture book about Mazda's RX-7 model from its introduction in 1979 through the 1993 model year.The book includes a lot of specifications about the various versions and explains the variations between model years as well as some text about competition in each year.The book includes a lot of great pictures including engine pictures, interior, racing and exterior pictures.It includes enough to know which version is which and explains the thinking and development work behind the scenes.If you are interested in RX-7's you need this book!

Solid, well-rounded book
This book reviews the history of the RX-7 in a broad brush and well written format.It leaves off a little after the release of 1992 model so does not go into depth on the latest series of RX-7.

Else, good book.

A must have...
...for RX-7 enthusiasts. Provides a great history of and timeline of its progress. High quality. Well written by a John Matras who appears to be passionate about his RX-7s. Buy it!

Fabulous review of a terrific car
Matras has a way with words and a great knowledge of cars. The Mazda RX-7 thanks you, John!

Justice Served For the RX7
Matras did a very nice job of composing this book on the much-loved mazda rx-7. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

"Solid Throwback Piece of Work"
Great book, I actually read this book during the All-Star Break and it conjured up reminants of nostalgia from my own Little League days. Rader examines a "semi-comprehensive" look at Baseball's flucuating stages, touching economical and social issues, while recounting memorable games. Rader's compelling account of Ruth's "called shot" of the 1932 World Series made me feel as if I was at Wrigley! He also reminds us that American History and Baseball will forever remain synonomous, remembering the Great Depression and how the game once struggled as well. The "War Years" also serve as a testament to Baseball's effect on American society and how the game diverted many fellow Americans attention. Throughout the book, Rader illustrates graphs and charts, highlighting a club's attendance, realignment issues, and salary-cap/player income. Solid piece of historic literature on the development of the game and American history as well, his objective sold me completley, moreover, rekindled my passion for the game on all levels.
AllotofVision
-Marshall University-

THIS HISTORY IS ON THE BALL. AND, YES, IT SCORES. BIG.
Benjamin Rader's second edition of his definitive history of America's favorite national pastime continues to score. Big. The lively, compact history has been expanded, now including baseball in the 1990s, the Latino invasion, the building of retro parks, the dizzying race for home runs (think Sosa and McGwire), the return (again) of the New York Yankees and team dynasties. This may be a somewhat scholarly analysis of the sport, but it's also highly approachable and highly readable and rich in detail. Rader takes readers into the game both inside and outside the foul lines; he also corrects errors he made the first time 'round, most notably in chapters 14 and 15. (Readers of the first edition will know exactly what we mean, and can start whooping it up now.) As for the rest of you, all together now: Take me out to the ballgame ....

Baseball history the way it should be written
I am currently taking a course at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux,Louisiana, entitled: The History of Baseball. Thus far, Benjamin Rader'sbook has provided valuable insight into the complete early history of therise of baseball. Anyone seeking to explore the beginnings of the game, andwhat the game has become from its beginning, should use "Baseball: AHistory of America's Game" as the primary source. ... Read more

Product Description
Nothing shapes the way we think about sports and athletes more than numbers. And that's why sports fans are drawn to them, especially those that signify something special or out of the ordinary. Numbelievable showcases the most extraordinary numbers in all of sports, making it a compelling and highly entertaining look at the numbers that sports fans cherish the most. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

This is the one
Turns out there are a few different books out there that delve into the wonder of sports numerology. But this is the only one that skillfully negotiates the balance between sports geek trivia and common facts. This is the book for Everyman. (Guys, I wouldn't recommend giving it to your girlfriend or wife, but rest assured you'll be able to get her to read your copy.) You know why you have that No. 18 decal on your SUV (I'm feeling you), but do you know the story of Martina Navratilova's 86-1 season? And what's the story with Philadelphia? The Phillies had the ignominious distinction of losing their 10,000th baseball game this summer, but who outside of Philly knew that decades ago the 76ers made "losers" history, too? As a lifelong sports fan (but far, far, far from being a geek), this is the book I've long waited for to help me be conversational with sports geeks.

By The Numbers
What many sports books lack is perspective; they get lost beneath the hype of their own premise.What one looks for as a true fan of sports history is what REALLY happened, not what we remember, or what we have been told to remember.This book takes those well-remembered moments and not only places them in the perspective of the time they occurred, but brings us all the forgotten particulars of the actual event.The midget Eddie Gaedel, for example, did not walk in the winning run of a vital game (he appeared in the first inning of the second game of a meaningless doubleheader); Roger Maris had other great seasons besides 1961, and Wilt the Stilt's historic 100-point game was aided by a remarkable 28 for 32 at the free throw line.Written with authority and humor, this book has the "je ne say hey" that all true sports buffs crave.It seems the perfect solution to the annual "what should I get Dad this year for Christmas" quandary.

Fun book even for a non-sports person
I bought this book for my 20 yr. old nephew, who's been crazy about all sports since he was about 3 minutes old and spent the evening reading through the book, enjoying the gorgeous photos and being amazed by the stats.I wound up ordering another one as a Christmas gift for my husband.It's a great coffee table book and a perfect gift for the sports fans in your life.

Some of the best moments in sports history
This book is great fun and is filled with so many "do you remember when..." and "where were you when this happened" moments.Some of the numbers I knew (whether by first-hand account or anecdotally) and there were also some surprises.Written with real wit and clear sports fanaticism - I cannot recommend this book enough.

PS- I'm buying this as a Christmas gift for my brother - I know that he, like any other sports fan, will get a real kick out of this book.

It's About Time!
This is by far the best book I've read that compiles all the sports numbers that I've misquoted over the years and finally puts it all out there in an interesting and compelling fashion. We all know the basics; Maris' 61*, Earnhardt #3, DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak. But this book really highlights the little known numbers behind the game that we tend to forget about it or simply didn't know. Well done. ... Read more

Product Description
On the heels of the successful Sports Illustrated 50th Anniversary Book comes a spectacular celebration of professional football that will be treasured by fans of America+s Game. With the same kind of unforgettable photographs and award-winning writing that made the SI+s 50th Anniversary Book a best-seller,this lavish coffee-table volume brings to life the bone-rattling action of NFL football and the extraordinary athletes who have made it America+s true national pastime. In 256 oversized pages, The Football Book commemorates the dynasties and the dominating players, the crucial plays and classic games, the personalities and performances that propelled the NFL during SI+s first 50 years of publication, from a marginal, ragtag league to the biggest game in town. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

Football Book
This is a great book for any football fan! Lots of info and awesome pictures! Highly Recommend

Good book - lots of photos!
My nephew is looking forward to reading this before bed each night.Thank you.

A great book for anybody...
This is a great book and will be handed down over the generations for others to read...

Ex-college football player loved it
Last night my family opened Christmas gifts. My niece's new husband played college football and now does substitute coaching at a small college where he is a zoology professor. He spend a good half hour looking through his new gift book and was delighted. Excellent gift!

The Man They Left Out
The most exciting runner of all time was Hugh McElhenny. They left him out. If you've never heard of him, check out some of those old grainy black-and-white films of the 1950s. He played for the 49ers. The first time he touched the ball in the NFL was a kickoff he ran back for a TD. In one season, he averaged over 8 yards per carry. That's not a typo. And that's in the NFL, not college. He did similarly amazing things in college at the U of Washington. He's a member of the NFL Hall of Fame, but they left him out. In the pantheon of most exciting football players of all time - that's most EXCITING, not necessarily the ranked best - it might look something like this:

1) McElhenny
2) Gale Sayers
3) Barry Sanders
4) Roger Staubach
5) John Elway
6) Jim Brown

Sure, Montana's not on here, but that's because he wasn't really that exciting. He was like a machine. Great, sure, but machines aren't exciting. Joe wasn't exciting.
McElhenny was. He was the King, but they left him out.
... Read more

Product Description
Politics has always been an integral part of the Olympics - not an occasional intruder in the form of a boycott, protest, or act of terrorism. In this probing social history, distinguished by a lively mix of journalism and scholarship, Allen Guttmann discusses the intended and actual meaning of the modern Olympic Games, from 1896 to 2000. Recounting the memorable and significant athletic events of the Olympics in terms of their social and political impact, Guttmann demonstrates that the modern games were revived to propagate a political message and continue to serve political purposes. This second edition of Guttmann's critically acclaimed history includes coverage of the controversial tenure of Juan Antonio Samaranch as president of the International Olympic Committee, a period tainted by rising drug use among athletes and scandals accompanying the awarding of sites and marked by the debut of openly professional athletes and the significantly increased role of female athletes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Skims the surface
This is a frustrating book.On one hand, there is a lot of good detail and information on the inception and growth of the modern Olympic games.On the other, just when you think Guttmann is going to delve deeper into a topic he simply skips right on by and gives a quick recap of the medal winners in a given year.He barely even mentions the travesty of 1972 in Munich, and makes only passing mentions of some of the iconic moments of the last 50 years.Instead, he seems much more concerned with the behind the scenes wrangling amongst the various members of the IOC.Indeed, the subtitle of the book should be "A history of the IOC leadership."

Thus, a definitive history of the Olympic games remains to be written.Although the blurbs on the back claim this is a landmark in social and political history, it is anything but.Babe Didrickson, Billy Mills, etc are mentioned, but that's about it.Even his discussion of South Africa and the associated boycotts related to Apartheid are fractured and incomplete.

It's worth a read...but I wish I had visited the library for this one rather than spent my money on it.I recommend you do the same. ... Read more

Product Description
A handful of star athletes, along with their promoters and journalists, created America’s sports entertainment industry during the 1920s, the Golden Age of American sports. The period had an extraordinary impact, profoundly changing individual sports, establishing the secular religion of sports and sports heroes, and helping bond disparate social and regional sectors of the country. It’s when sports became a cornerstone of modern American life.

Heroes and Ballyhoo profiles the ten most prominent Golden Age heroes and describes their effect on sports and society. Babe Ruth saved baseball after the Black Sox Scandal. Boxer Jack Dempsey made the “sweet science” a respectable sport. Red Grange single-handedly set professional football on a path to eventual success. Knute Rockne helped transform college football from a game to a colossal enterprise. Bobby Jones changed golf into a spectator sport, and Walter Hagen sparked the first national interest in professional golf. Bill Tilden put tennis on the front of the sports section. Tennis player Helen Wills Moody joined swimmer Gertrude Ederle in empowering women athletes. Johnny Weissmuller astonished international swimming before becoming Tarzan.

The book also explores the ballyhoo artists—sportswriters, promoters, and press agents—who hyped the stars to a receptive public. Simultaneously, the spectators established themselves as the focus of popular sports. The personalities and events of the 1920s thus created today’s entertainment conglomerate of heroes, promoters and advertisers, fans, arenas—and money. Sports as a profit center started with the Golden Age’s heroes and PR artists, and the public’s obsessive interest in sports helped shape America’s emerging mass society. Heroes and Ballyhoo tells the story of what was both a symptom and a cause of modern America. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Overview of the 1920s Sports Era
Great overview. Touches on the major points. Bibliography is an excellent list from which to go deeper on the topics. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is the only up-to-date general introduction to ancient Greek sport now available in English.Its subjects include the origins and history of the Olympic games, athletic nudity, professionalism, and the place of women in Greek sport.Accessible to nonspecialists, its overall perspective and discussions of many particular problems will also interest experts in Greek history and sport studies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Unfortunately, only useful for students
I was not impressed at all with this book. This is not really a book; its merely a collection of essays written for a university course on Greek Athletics. I do not consider the writer a good author, and would recommend readers to find interesting educational books on this same subject, elsewhere. ... Read more

Product Description
As a serious player, a high handicapper, or simply a baffled onlooker to the awesome nonsense that is golf, have you ever wondered why, say, the golf balls have dimples, and the tee is both the thing you stick in the ground and the place you hit from, and the hole is so small, and the courses have all these big pits full of sand where any sane person would put grass?

Well, so did noted humor writer and avid hacker Henry Beard, who brought twenty-first-century computer search-engine technology to bear on this thousand-year-old game, tapping the internet's inherent capacity to confer a thin veneer of authenticity to far-fetched accounts of great moments in the history of golf, warped portraits of its legendary players, and fanciful conjectures about its origins and evolution.

Employing an easy-to-read and simple-to-fudge timeline format, he chronicles the amazing process through which this screwy pastime with wacky equipment and loony rules played for penny wagers by a bunch of bored-silly shepherds was gradually transformed into a screwy sport with wacky equipment and loony rules played for million-dollar purses by superstar athletes.

As he peers through the mists of time to the birthplace of the game, Beard resolves once and for all its many mysteries, like where those weird-looking pants came from, when the fi rst telling of the "Hit, drag Harry" joke was, what a Stimpmeter is, and who dreamed up the idea of those stupid blimps.

Here, then, in one convenient golf-bag-side-pocket-sized volume is a rich, wildly embroidered, ludicrously embellished tapestry of colorful fabrications and highly entertaining but thoroughly dubious speculations that tell the tall tale of golf -- the game that deranged the world. ... Read more

Product Description
What if Babe Ruth had not been sold to the Yankees in 1920 and instead played his entire career in Boston? What if Muhammad Ali had lost or quit in his first fight against Sonny Liston? What if the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants had never moved to the West Coast? What if Vince Lombardi had become head coach of his hometown Giants instead of heading to Green Bay? How would sports history, and our perception of it, be different today? These are some of the questions asked and answered in this entertaining book of alternate history, the first book of its kind in the field of sports. It is sure to appeal to every thoughtful sports fan. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

If Sports History Had Taken A Different Turn...
Recent years have seen a surge in the popularity of the "what if" genre of historical fiction. Suppose the Nazis had won World War II? Or John F. Kennedy had not been assassinated? How would the world be different? In this collection, Bill Gutman applies the what-if question to the world of professional sports.

The scenarios are intriguing. Imagine a New York City where the baseball Giants and Dodgers never left. Imagine a young Cassius Clay failing to take the heavyweight boxing championship from Sonny Liston. Imagine Vince Lombardi leaving the Green Bay Packers to become head coach of the New York Giants. Imagine a healthy Willis Reed leading the New York Knicks to a whole string of NBA titles in the 1970s.And of course, as the title suggests, imagine a world with no Curse of the Bambino--a world where the Boston Red Sox never traded Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. Gutman explores these scenarios (and several more) in a series of chapters that feature solid research and lively writing. Recommended for any sports fan.--William C. Hall

... Read more

Product Description
A comprehensive history of skiing from its earliest origins to the outbreak of World War II, this book traces the transformation of what for centuries remained an exclusively utilitarian practice into the exhilarating modern sport we know today. E. John B. Allen places particular emphasis on the impact of culture on the development of skiing, from the influence of Norwegian nationalism to the role of the military in countries as far removed as Austria, India, and Japan. Although the focus is on Europe, Allen’s analysis ranges all over the snow-covered world, from Algeria to China to Zakopane. He also discusses theparticipation of women and children in what for much of its history remained a male-dominated sport. Of all the individuals who contributed to the modernization of skiing before World War II, Allen identifies three who were especially influential: Fridtjof Nansen of Norway, whose explorations on skis paradoxically inspired the idea of skiing as sport; Arnold Lunn of England, whose invention of downhill skiing and the slalom were foundations of the sport’s globalization; and Hannes Schneider, whose teachings introduced both speed and safety into the sport.Underscoring the extent to which ancient ways persisted despite modernization, the book ends with the Russo-Finnish War, a conflict in which the Finns, using equipment that would have been familiar a thousand years before, were able to maneuver in snow that had brought the mechanized Soviet army to a halt.

More than fifty images not only illustrate this rich history but provide further opportunity for analysis of itscultural significance. ... Read more

Product Description
There was little fanfare when Art "Mickey" McBride flew into Chicago in 1945 to purchase a professional football team for Cleveland. But that act set in motion a tradition that has brought the city of Cleveland together on Sunday afternoons for (most of) the sixty years to follow. Cleveland Browns History is the story of championship seasons, legendary coaches, and Hall of Fame players. Coach Paul Brown led his teams to seven league title games in their first 17 seasons. Running backs Marion Motley, Jim Brown, and Leroy Kelley each rushed over opposing defenses and

straight into Canton, Ohio, along with fellow Browns like Otto Graham, Ozzie Newsome, and Len Ford. The "Kardiac Kids" in 1980 had too many nail-biters for some fans, but won the AFC Central in typical fashion--by three points in the final game of the season. All these stories, plus those of the many unsung heroes to don the NFL's only logo-less helmet, fill the pages of this book, sure to delight any Cleveland Browns fan. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Father in Law Gift.
My husband bought this book for his dad planning to either cut it up and make a collage of photos or scan it and do so, and after the book arrived he liked it too much in it's entirety to do so. He ended up reading through the book himself and just giving the book as a whole. It was like a dual gift, he enjoyed it himself and then gifted it like he had planned.

TICKLED PINK
I WAS VERY EXCITED TO RECIEVE THIS BOOK AND EVEN MORE AS I BEGAN TO READ IT! THANK YOU

Must Read
It is remarkable how much information Frank Henkel crams into 128 pages. From the Cleveland Browns' beginnings in the mid-1940s, to the title teams of their first decade, to the club's "slump" in the late-1950s and early '60s, to Cleveland's last pro sports championship in 1964, to the near-misses of the late-'60s, to the Bad News Browns of the mid-70s, to the Kardiac Kids, to the Kosar era, to The Move, to the "return" of the Browns in 1999, to the troubled times of today, Henkel takes the reader on a unique path through the history of one of the most celebrated franchises in the NFL. Besides bringing to the reader the obvious highlights and lowlights of nearly 60 years of Browns football, Henkel also writes of players and happenings about which many fans may have forgotten. The author goes into great detail in the play-by-play of some very memorable games. He also adds spice by offering the reader an array of trivia tidbits throughout the book. If you are a fan of Cleveland Browns history, you will love Cleveland Browns History. It's that simple.

All there is to know about the Cleveland Browns!!! A+++++
A very well written book.There is an amazing amount of information packed into 128 pages.The book is broken down in chronological order, starting in the early days of the All-American Football Leauge, through all the NFL and AFC championships, the hard years of the 1980's and 90's, the move out of Cleveland and the triumphant return in 1999.The book starts with Cleveland's utter domination of the AAFC and their move to the NFL.It covers Paul Brown's accomplishments and his eventual firing by Art Modell, the "Kardiac Kids" of 1979 - 1984, and the careers of Lyle Alzado and Bernie Kosar.The book draws to a close with the old Browns moving to Balitimore, the fans fight in Congress to keep the team in Cleveland, and the eventual rebirth of the new Cleveland Browns and their future, including the recent hiring of Romeo Crennel as the team's new head coach.Plus, there are countless black-and-white pictures and rich captions of Cleveland Browns history.The cool thing about b&w pictures is that it makes everything equally historical, from 2004 to 1946.

Overall, I throughly enjoyed this book about one of the most historic sports teams in history.I look forward to Mr. Henkel's next book.Perhaps he can work his magic over the Dallas Cowboys history. ... Read more

Product Description
Discusses the role of sports in the ancient Greek and Roman world, covering the Olympics, the glories of physical achievement, spectacle sports, horse and chariot racing, and leisure sports. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A must for sports fans
OK, you're probably wondering why it's important to know about what sports they played thousands of years ago. Well, many of the sports that are popular today came from the ancient Greeks for one thing, like wrestling and track and many track and field events, and boxing too. This book tells just about everythig about these ancient sports but also about the more violent Roman ones, like when gladiators killed eachother in front of screaming crowds. It makes you look at movies like Gladiator in a new light. I really liked the book and it's one anybody can learn a lot from.

Great Book!!
By far the best general synopsis of the subject available for young or non-scholarly readers.Nardo covers every major aspect of ancient Greek and Roman sports and games, sometimes in a good deal more detail than one would expect in a book for this reading level.The sections describing ancient Olympia, Greek combat sports (wrestling, boxing, and pancration), and Roman chariot racing are especially informative and colofully written.This book should be on the required reading list for all high-school and college students taking courses in ancient history.

A Fascinating Book!
If you've ever wanted to do some in-depth study about ancient sporting events such as the original Olympics and chariot races and so forth, this is an excellent overview to get started.Mr. Nardo, who has written many books for students and general readers about ancient times, has done a wonderful job of summarizing the main points about ancient Olympia (what it looked like, who went there to see the famous games, what the events were, who the athletes were, etc.) He has a whole chapter on wrestling, boxing, and similar events that I found particularly interesting, including famous stories about some of the greatest competitors in these events, such as the great Milo, who could probably defeat (if he was still alive of course!)most of today's greatest atheletes.Mr. Nardo also does a great job explaining the Roman games, including the chariot races in the Circus Maximus and gladiator fights in the Colosseum.As in his other books that I have seen, he provides a very large and helpful bibliography that lists more scholarly books on specific aspects of ancient sports.Some of his photos are good too, especially the one showing the actual starting blocks for the sprinters that are still visible in the ruins at Olympia.Look for this book at your library and you will be happy you did.

A Fascinating Book!
If you've ever wanted to do some in-depth study about ancient sporting events such as the original Olympics and chariot races and so forth, this is an excellent overview to get started.Mr. Nardo, who has written many books for students and general readers about ancient times, has done a wonderful job of summarizing the main points about ancient Olympia (what it looked like, who went there to see the famous games, what the events were, who the athletes were, etc.) He has a whole chapter on wrestling, boxing, and similar events that I found particularly interesting, including famous stories about some of the greatest competitors in these events, such as the great Milo, who could probably defeat (if he was still alive of course!)most of today's greatest atheletes.Mr. Nardo also does a great job explaining the Roman games, including the chariot races in the Circus Maximus and gladiator fights in the Colosseum.As in his other books that I have seen, he provides a very large and helpful bibliography that lists more scholarly books on specific aspects of ancient sports.Some of his photos are good too, especially the one showing the actual starting blocks for the sprinters that are still visible in the ruins at Olympia.Look for this book at your library and you will be happy you did. ... Read more

Product Description

Sports films are popular forms of entertainment around the world, but beyond simply amusing audiences, they also reveal much about class, race, gender, sexuality, and national identity. In All-Stars and Movie Stars, Ron Briley, Michael K. Schoenecke, and Deborah A. Carmichael explore the interplay between sports films and critical aspects of our culture, examining them as both historical artifacts and building blocks of ideologies, values, and stereotypes. The book covers not only Hollywood hits such as Field of Dreams and Miracle but also documentaries such as The Journey of the African American Athlete and international cinema, such as the German film The Miracle of Bern. The book also explores television coverage of sports, commenting on the relationship of media to golf and offering a new perspective on the culture and politics behind the depictions of the world's most popular pastimes. The first part of the book addresses how sports films represent the cultural events, patterns, and movements of the times in which they were set, as well as the effect of the media and athletic industry on the athletes themselves. Latham Hunter examines how the baseball classic The Natural reflects traditional ideas about gender, heroism, and nation, and Harper Cossar addresses how the production methods used in televised golf affect viewers. The second section deals with issues such as the growth of women's involvement in athletics, sexual preference in the sports world, and the ever-present question of race by looking at sports classics such as Rocky, Hoosiers, and A League of Their Own. Finally, the authors address the historical and present-day role sports play in the international and political arena by examining such films as Visions of Eight and The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner. This important and unique collection illuminates the prominent role that sports play in society and how that role is reflected in film. Analysis of the depiction of sports in film and television provides a deeper understanding of the appeal that sports hold for people worldwide and of the forces behind the historic and cultural traditions linked to sports.

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

A must for any Cowboys fan
I've been a Cowboys fan my entire life, which covers most of the team's 50 years. My bookshelves are full of Cowboys books. I'm gladly making room to show off this one. The pictures are great, the writing is great and I love the layout. The book does a great job of blending story and history. I know there are other anniversary books out this fall, but I compared them side by side at the store and this was the clear winner.

Glossy masterpiece sets the bar high
[Sep 4, 2010 update: my original review and the the errors noted below were based on a copy of the first printing; I understand the book is entering a second printing and that the errors will be corrected]

Dallas Cowboys: The Complete Illustrated History

Review: "Dallas Cowboys: The Complete Illustrated History", by Jaime Aron

Aron, Jaime.Dallas Cowboys: The Complete Illustrated History.Minneapolis, MN: MVP Books.2010 192p, illus. 30.00 (list) ISBN 978-0-7603-3520-8

When I got my copy in the mail (July 22), my initial reaction was "Wow".Beginning with the frontispiece photograph (Landry statue under Texas flag) to the flysheet illustration (Aikman dropping back to pass), the beautiful photographs are a mere prelude to the superb materials that follow.

The author chooses an interesting format for organizing his material: he breaks down the history of the team into eras by quarterback.I don't think I've ever seen a team history organized this way, but it makes sense because, as Aron explains, most fans tend to think of the Cowboys' history in terms of the starting quarterback(s) at the time.The author identifies the following eras:

Eddie LeBaron (1960-63)
Don Meredith (1964-68)
Roger Staubach I (1969-74)
Roger Staubach II (1975-79)
Danny White (1980-85)
Steve Pelluer (1986-88)
Troy Aikman I (1989-95)
Troy Aikman II (1996-00)
Looking for a successor (2001-05)
Tony Romo (2006-09)

In each era, Aron provides a summary of the highs and lows of each season.Sprinkled throughout are color-coded features (yellow: Legends; green: Games to Remember; blue: Polishing the Star; gold: Rivalries; and gray: You Make the Call).The 37 "Legends" features 33 players, two owners, two coaches and one GM (I know that totals 38, but Cliff and Charlie are combined in a single feature).Omitted are some pretty famous names: Calvin Hill, Duane Thomas, Chuck Howley, Billy Joe DuPree, Tony Hill, Deion Sanders, Ralph Neely, Cornell Green, Larry Allen, just to name a few -- but you can't include them all, and I cannot fault Aron's choices.

The eleven "Games to Remember" include all the Super Bowls, the Ice Bowl, the "Hail Mary" game, and Roger's last regular season game (the thrilling come-from-behind 35-34 victory over the Redskins in the '79 season finale).Again, I can't quibble with the games he included and while you can't include them all, I was surprised the '72 playoff against the `Niners and "The Catch" were omitted.Other possible "Games to Remember" that didn't make the cut include: the '94 NFC Championship Game loss to the `Niners; the '66 NFL Championship game loss to the Packers; and Romo's miraculous comeback against the Bills in '07.

The fourteen "Polishing the Star" features cover miscellaneous historical items that aren't players or games, e.g., the story of the Cowboys' name and logo, and an overview of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.Again, some noteworthy items were not included: the trade for the rights to Tony Dorsett, or the Walker trade that allowed the JJs to draft the players that made the `90s dynasty possible (in fairness, both trades are discussed in the narrative).

The obvious rivalries are included: Redskins, Eagles & Giants, but historical rivalries with the Steelers and Packers, while discussed in the text were not included as features.The most interesting features are the four "You Make the Call" questions; e.g., who was really the Team of the 70s?Is there an anti-Cowboys bias at the HOF?This "interactive" feature will certainly lead to many discussions and debates.

While I may have included different players or events, page limits being what they are, Aron had to make some tough choices so I won't fault him for that.The book was well researched, but a few glitches managed to slip by the editors: Tex Schramm was an "owner" (p77)?In fact Schramm eventually obtained a minority stake in the team, but the typo is an obvious reference to Schramm-the-GM; p104: the caption refers to the Rams but the photo is actually of the Cardinals; p108: the reference to "East Commerce State" should "East Texas State" (now Texas A&M-Commerce), Harvey Martin's alma mater; p122: Aron says Tom Landry enlisted in the Army Air Corps out of high school but he actually spent a semester at the University of Texas before flying B-17s in World War II; on p160, Aron writes that Bill Parcells is the only head coach in Cowboys history with prior NFL experience, but of course, Tom Landry, Chan Gailey, Dave Campo and current HC Wade Phillips all served as assistant coaches in the NFL before they took over as HC for the Cowboys.Aron meant that Parcells was the only Cowboys HC to have previous NFL experience as a head coach; on page 172, he writes that the '07 Cowboys lost to the undefeated Patriots on the road but of course that game was at Texas Stadium.

More important than those relatively minor errors, I got the sense for most of the book that Aron relied exclusively on secondary sources for his material, rather than interviews.I could be mistaken, but the tone and tempo of the narrative picks up noticeably around the 1999-2000 timeframe, which happens to be when Aron began covering the Cowboys for the Associated Press.

Those minor issues aside, this handsome volume very much deserves a place on the bookshelf of every Cowboys fan.Since 2010 is the 50th anniversary year of the Cowboys, we can expect a bumper crop of books about the team (over 20 by my count, including juvenile books).Aron's is the first of at least five "coffee-table" illustrated histories of the team to hit the market.He does a great job setting the bar.

© Copyright Fred Goodwin, July 26, 2010
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Product Description
As long as people have played games, there has been a temptation to win (or intentionally lose) by cheating. Infamous cases throughout the history of sport abound, from the "thrown" 1919 World Series to the recent doping confessions of track star Marion Jones. In this entertaining and informative book, sports historian Fran Zimniuch recalls the notorious scandals that have tainted our most popular sports, concluding that such incidents are often a reflection of the times. Benefiting from personal interviews with many figures either involved in or on the periphery of recent scandals, including BALCO's Victor Conte, Crooked presents a pageant of infamy as rich as the history of modern sports. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

pedetrian
i found this book to be a rehash of well known often retold cheating scandals.Nothing new no controversial opinions. the writing unexciting. A book for the semi-literate often misinformed american sports fan portrayed in the movie "Big Fan."

Cheating is not just in baseball
A fun and informative work that chronicles the cheating that has gone on since practically the dawn of time.Fran gets first hand accounts from experts and those involved with modern cheatin scandals and touches on historical events, i.e. Vietnam, that changed the American tolerance for cheating and deceit.

Highly recommended for sports fans (not just a baseball book) who wish to explore the phenomenon of deception that exists in our modern sporting world.

Complete and compelling
What's really incredible about this book are the sheer amount of sources that the author was able to consult across a broad variety of sports, including football, basketball, baseball, and Olympic and amateur sports.If you ever wanted to know anything about cheating in pretty much any sport, this book is the place to find it.I was especially fascinated by the in-depth look at NBA officials, the Tim Donaghy scandal of 2007, and the methods through which officials and players alike practice "one-upmanship" in an effort to gain advantage in the game.Zimniuch also does an excellent job of pacing, as the book is an easy read and keeps you turning the page.

Lots of great info in "Crooked"
This book is really a ton of fun. As a dedicated baseball fan, I got a ton of great information out of the chapter on illegal pitches (spitballs, scuffed balls, etc). Hadn't known that Carl Mays (who threw the pitch that fatally injured Ray Chapman) was a spitballer. Also enjoyed getting the inside story on the 1919 Chicago White Sox World Series "fix".

Sports and more
What an interesting book! Crooked not only discusses cheating in sports, but attitudes in society that not only condone cheating but in many respects encourage it in society as well as sports. While steroids are an important part of this book, there are a long history of examples of cheating in sports that are discussed as well. Let's face it. Cheating happened in sports long before steroids hit the scene. Crooked is fun and it's informative. ... Read more

Product Description

Even before the desegregation of the military and public education and before blacks had full legal access to voting, racial barriers had begun to fall in American sports. This collection of essays shows that for many African Americans it was the world of athletics that first opened an avenue to equality and democratic involvement.

Race and Sport showcases African Americans as key figures making football, baseball, basketball, and boxing internationally popular, though inequalities still exist today.

Among the early notables discussed is Fritz Pollard, an African American who played professional football before the National Football League established a controversial color barrier. Another, the boxer Sugar Ray Robinson, exemplifies the black American athlete as an international celebrity. African American women also played an important role in bringing down the barriers, especially in the early development of women's basketball. In baseball, both African American and Hispanic players faced down obstacles and entered the sports mainstream after World War II. One essay discusses the international spread of American imperialism through sport. Another shows how mass media images of African American athletes continue to shape public perceptions.

Although each of these six essays explores a different facet of sports in America, together they comprise an analytical examination of African American society's tumultuous struggle for full participation both on and off the athletic field.

Charles K. Ross, interim director of African American studies and an associate professor of history and African American studies at the University of Mississippi, is the author of Outside the Lines: African Americans and the Integration of the National Football League. ... Read more

Product Description
This exciting sports almanac will tell kids all they need to know about the previous year in sports (Fall '03-Summer '04). It includes major sports (basketball, baseball, football, hockey); "secondary sports" (golf, tennis, cycling, auto racing); action sports (BMX, snowboarding, in-line skating) and some Olympic sports (gymnastics, skiing, track and field).Year in Sports 2005 is heavily illustrated with fabulous action photos. It will also feature a 16-page, four-color insert that contains photos of the year's thrilling moments and memorable athletes. Perfect for hanging in lockers!
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Customer Reviews (1)

Sports!
YearInSports2005 gives youallof2004.As well,itgives hockey,basketball andmuchmore.Itgivesyoufast facts,triva. ... Read more